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Any chance of becoming a clinical psychologist?

Hi i was just wanting peoples opinions of whether i actually hav any chance of becoming a clinical psychologist or not. I really want to be one i am currently studying Psychology A level but after talking to my health and social care teacher she said that her daughter went to a really good uni got really good grades and was a really good candidate all round but she just cant get onto a degree to become a clinical psychologist and she now has to do something else. This quite worried me because i'm not gonna get into one of the top uni's etc so is there any point in me even trying or should i just try and do something else? thanks in advance

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Nobody?

It is very competitive to gain a place on training courses (around 30% of applicants are successful each year)

From http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/areas/areas_home.cfm

Its VERY hard to become a clinical psychologist as you can tell, i was thinking about it myself for awhile :rolleyes:

Reply 3

LatinMachine

Clin Psych is the main one that people want to do. I used to want to do it myself, but it does take a long time to become one, you've got to have perseverance. Which is why most Clin Psychs are a bit old :wink:

You need to have at least a 2:1 or a first in your main Psychology degree, and have done lots of volunteer work, and most people also start by being an Assistant to a Clin Psych.

However, don't despair, the nail on my Clin Psych coffin happened when I actually met a Clin Psych. Most only regularily treat three types of disorder: OCD, Depression and Phobias. NOT the most interesting disorders in the dictionary, and most people think that Clin Psychs do MPD, Schizophrenia etc, which they don't. Have a look on the BPS website at the other types of Psychology careers. It took me a long time to get to Health Psychology as the one I'm actually most interested in :biggrin:

If I'm being honest, the fact that you took H&SC might hold you back a bit, simply because the "top" Universities, as you put it, don't count it as a "real" A-Level (like Dance, Media, thingys like that, LSE have a list of black-listed subjects I think), but have you thought about counselling? Especially if you like H&SC that's an attainable goal that's similar to Clin Psych.

Reply 4

scruffs

Hullo there,

I graduated from Aberdeen in psychology. It is very competitive, but people do get in- several of my classmates have gone on to do it. If it is truly what you want then aim for it. Believe in yourself! And if you don't make it, it's not the end of the world. The wonderful thing about psychology is that you can use it to go into so many fields, and allied courses such as medicine. So don't worry too much, just go for it :biggrin:

Reply 5

abc137

Thanks for your posts everyone! I am really interested in OCD, depression and phobias though!! That's what i want to do! Might look into Counselling, could anyone tell me more about that? Is there any chance of becoming a clinical psychologist without going to one of the top uni's? Looks like i will prob end up doing children's nursing! Thanks everyone x

Reply 6

The Boosh

there is a chance - just get your experience to a good level and get good grades at any uni. i know a few expoly graduates who are now clin psychs.

Reply 7

Lind

After reading this thread i think it's really important to point out that Psychologist don't just focus on OCD, depression and phobias. The work Psychologist do is wide and variable - in the near future it seems evident that psychologists will be taking on more of a consultancy role due to them being classified as specialist.

With counselling psychology - remember you have to fund yourself - very expensive and perhaps not as much scope, still an option though

Reply 8

LatinMachine

Okay, people seem to be disagreeing with my OCD/phobias/depression point. I would like to point out that I haven't just pulled this out of my a*s, it is what an actual Clinical Psychologist told me. Yes, this could change in the future, and I would like Clin Psychs to branch out because I think they have an important role to play, but at the moment, most psychological disorders such as schizophrenia are treated with drugs, which can only be prescribed by people with medical degrees.

My advice to the OP would be to do your Psych degree, and if, at the end, you still want to be a Clin Psych, have a go! As it is, you haven't been to Uni yet, anything can happen in the next three years, you could completely change your mind.

Reply 9

Chez20

Just adding to what everyone has put here. I have it on good advice, that the average time to get onto a clin psych course is about 3 years, but some do get on earlier. During this time, most people get jobs within mental health charities or similar, or as assitant psychologist. I wanted to be clin psych, but then decided that my interests lie more in the field of educational psych - although that is also going to be competitive to get on to.

A bit of advice though - get as much experience as possible. Eg. working with mind, the mental health charity. You may have already checked out this thread - http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=265006
It's got some useful examples.

Also, you WILL need to get a 1st or at least a 2:1 at uni, anything less, and you prob won't stand much chance.
If it's what you want to do, go for it!

Reply 10

Kate85

I just want to add that there is a website for prospective clinical psychologists, it's www.psyclick.org.uk :smile:

It has information on courses, interviews, handy books, etc and also has a forum where you can chat to other clinical psychology applicants and trainees :smile:

Reply 11

The Boosh

less than 1 in 4 get a place on the doctorate, but id be interested in knowing how many people reapply and get on the time around - you might find your chances dramatically increase the following year with a gain in interview experience, work experience etc.... just a thought...

Reply 12

browny2806

Hye guys i was just looking on the University of Manchester website and from the looks of it, to gain entry into the Clin Psych PhD course they may even expect you to have a masters in a relevant psychology field.

So does that mean we're expected to have a Bsc, Masters and perhaps years of work experience as an assistant clinical psychologist to even have a chance of getting onto the PhD?! :eek:

If so that is alot of years to be studying. Please someone tell me we can go straight from out Bsc to work experience and then perhaps onto the PhD. :redface:

Reply 13

The Boosh

BSc & clinical population experience = potential doctorate candidate.

its not a phd but a professional doctorate. a phd is a pure research degree, a professional doctorate is partly taught, partly research and partly clinical practice.

Reply 14

mipmapped

If you're not going to get a 2:1 or a 1st, don't bother.

Reply 15

Lind

Some people who get a 2:ii do go on to gain a master - usually in research in order to better their chances of getting onto the Doctorate course, its entirley up to the individual.

Personally - i got a 2:1 - i'm not going to do a masters, the only people i know who have done the masters are those who got 2:ii or those who LOVE doing research!!!!!!!!

Reply 16

spookystarbuck

This is the sort of career I'd really love to do.
But yes, it's hard to get into as far as I'm aware. No harm in trying though!

Reply 17

RedDevil25

mipmapped

If you're not going to get a 2:1 or a 1st, don't bother.

I would just like to say that people with 2.2s DO get onto training. It is possible.They have always had MScs though! . If you look at the psyclick website, there are a few people who have got onto the clinical doctorate course with a 2.2.

In order to improve your chances in getting into clinical, it may be an idea to do some work expereince alongside your degree or perhaps even do a sandwich psychology degree. It will also help to get some publications whilst at uni.

I hope to get into clinical psychology training after my PhD. If not then health or counselling psychology.

I decided to keep my options open via my health and research training, just in case clinical doesnt work out for me.

Reply 18

browny2806

Oh dear lord you have been studying nine years to gain a place on the clinical psychology course :eek:

I have a question for everyone, on average, how long does it take from beginning a Psychology Bsc to gaining a place on the clinical psychology course?

I realise that everyone is different and acceptance onto this course varies with experience, degree quality etc, but i was just wondering if their is an average timeline which is experienced by the majority of individuals on the clinical psychology course?

Reply 19

RedDevil25

browny2806

Oh dear lord you have been studying nine years to gain a place on the clinical psychology course :eek:

Just to clarify, I have not been studying just to get into clinical! I have done further study to improve my employment prosepects in a very competitive field and to branch out into other psychology specialities! I do however, hope to practice as a clinical psychologist but to have specialities within health and research.

Heres a few links that may answer your question!
http://psyclick.34sp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4858

http://psyclick.34sp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2657